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144 "Now there are no deformities of the spine, whatever may be the primary causes, without five different organs being concerned.

"First, the fibro-cartilages; that elastic substance interposed between each vertebra, on the regularity of which depends the normal direction of the spine. When by any cause that substance loses its natural form, the vertebræ are thrown out of their place.

"Second, the bones; which deviate, protrude, and recede in different ways.

"Third, the ligaments; which become stretched on one side and relaxed on the other, losing their firmness and power.

"Fourth, the muscles; which always present their antagonist relaxed or contracted. "Fifth, the tendons; which, under the same influence, are changed in their direction, and act as new vehicles to the distortion."—Abridged from Dr. Caplin's Lectures.

Having, then, taken into consideration the cause and nature of the deformity, the next thing will be to see what can be done in order to restore the proper equilibrium of the body.

Let us suppose a lateral curvature of the spine, and that the lady is unable to rise from this position; it will be evident to anyone, that